Fifteen years ago, Sunny Hart vanished.  Now her sister wants the truth – no matter the cost.

Investigative journalist Rose Hart swore she’d never return to her hometown, the place that stole her sister and shattered her family.

But it’s finally time to lay the ghosts of her past to rest.

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Her fragile peace is shattered when a horrific parcel arrives in the post, followed by a chilling warning beside a dead body. Suddenly, Rose is dragged back into a nightmare she can’t escape.

As she begins to investigate, Rose realises she’s not the only one hunting for answers. Leo Thorn, a forensic pathologist with secrets of his own, and Vinny Strong, a convicted murderer with unfinished business, become unlikely allies.

Together, they step into a labyrinth of long-buried secrets and a history far darker than Rose ever imagined. Someone knows what happened to Sunny, and they’ve waited a very long time to finish what they started.

My Review

I really enjoyed this book but there were times I had to suspend disbelief as it became more and more far-fetched. No-one is who they seem and relationships become very complicated.

Living in Gloucestershire, I immediately connected the serial killers Jim and Peggy Slater with Fred and Rose West, who famously abducted numerous girls who were later discovered under the house at 25 Cromwell Street. Daughter of the killers, Lee Riley, wrote a book about her experience called Growing up at the Murder Manse and on its anniversary crime reporter Rose Hart is writing a piece for the local newspaper, the Hauxley Gazette where she works, having returned to her hometown from a high profile job in London.

In the meantime Vinny Strong is about to be released from prison. While inside she obtained a degree, though to me she seems rather stupid and naive. She can’t wait to see her brother Enzo, but little does she know that tragedy is about to strike.

The story also revolves around the beauty pageants that Rose’s teenage sister Sunny took part in before she disappeared. Her mother was obsessed with Sunny’s success, her father far less so. I found the idea very old-fashioned and rather creepy.

But the part I found a bit far-fetched is the way everyone is connected. There are just too many connections and coincidences for me, and I would have liked to see a bit more hope and redemption.

However, Rose is a great character. She is determined to find out the truth about the disappearance of her sister ‘like a dog with a bone’ someone describes her determination. I think many of us can identify with her in some way, or know someone like her, and I also love the cover, and of course Jimmy the Dachshund.

Many thanks to @ZooloosBT  for inviting me to be part of this blog tour.

About the Author

Marrisse Whittaker has been creating characters for all of her working life, travelling far and wide, first as a TV and Film Make-Up Artist. Next as a TV Scriptwriter, creating stories for popular series. But plenty of drama takes place in real-life too and when Marrisse joined forces with her husband, to establish Orion TV, they produced a fascinating range of factual programmes for major broadcasters.

Now, creating a scene is taking on a new meaning for Marrisse as she launches a new career as a novelist writing about the world of crime, having been shortlisted for The Lindisfarne Prize for Outstanding Debut Crime Fiction in 2020.

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Book Links
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com
Purchase Link: www.amazon.co.uk